Birmingham was founded on the iron industry, and the iron industry required some heavy transportation to succeed. Therefore, trains are a vital part of our history, too. The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is our favorite place to experience that piece of our past.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9701_3680

The HODRRM can be found in Calera, about 45 minutes outside of Birmingham (depending on which end of the city you reside.) In the past, we’ve come for Thomas the Train’s visits, and stayed to play on the other exhibits. Way more than a museum, they have five rows of old engines, train cars, flatbeds, and more.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9708_3687We might or might not be allowed to climb in these, but there weren’t signs on most of them…

Each one seems to have its own hidden secrets, to be found by peeking in the doors, climbing up the stairs, or reading its graffiti.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9729_3708

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9737_3716

And also, it’s kind of a photographer’s dream.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9810_3789

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9741_3720

The kids spent about half an hour building something out of scrap pieces they found – carrying items from one end of the flatbed to the other.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9770_3749

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9757_3736

Carla Jean and I just watched and enjoyed the imaginations at work.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9764_3743

Speaking of Carla Jean, she had meetings after our visit and dressed accordingly, which made chasing the children around a sight to behold. But as any southern lady journalist can do, she carried out her duties with grace and poise.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9786_3765

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9795_3774

After ample time exploring the old engines, we walked across the street to the museum. They have a wonderful signals display outside, complete with a button you can push to make them all work and signs that explain how they were operated.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9812_3791

The kids enjoyed playing on the hand train, and wished it weren’t chained down so that they could take off on a long journey.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9822_3801

I think they would’ve made it, too. For at least ten feet.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9830_3809

The museum lives inside the depot. It was an actual depot from a small Alabama town that was moved to the museum. They have the lobby set up with original train depot benches, and a ticketing office staged to see how it all worked before computers, printers, and Ticketmaster.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9833_3812

As we learned at our Tannehill visit (and many others), the minerals found in Alabama were the catalyst to development and growth. This map showed the Alabama Mineral train route, along with pictures from many of the sites.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9839_3818

There was a working dispatch table, with real-time audio of current-day train engineers discussing their journeys through Alabama. Above the antique switchboard was a computer monitor that showed the current day track switches.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9842_3821

Both were fascinating, but the thought of controlling train tracks with these switches was downright literary.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9872_3851

In continuing with experiencing the romance of the train era, they had many artifacts from a Pullman car. Flasks and menus and towels and dishes…

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9851_3830

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9855_3834

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9876_3855

The entire museum made you want to pack up your suitcases, be Anne Shirley, and board a train to meet your new parents on Prince Edward Island.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9889_3868

The kids made one more stop at the train yard – this time to ring the bell on Train #38,

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9890_3869

 

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9899_3878

And then begged for one more walk through the old train yard.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9961_3940

If you’re looking to get a yearning for a life lived long ago, this is the place to find it.

161208-HOD-RRM_MG_9957_3936

7 thoughts on “Hands-On History: Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum.

  1. I LOVED the ; Anne of Green Gables ‘ reference!!! I am so pleased that the ‘younger’ generation still reads those wonderful books !!! Your kids are so Lucky to have such a wonderful Mom and Teacher who loves to explore!! You make learning an adventure !!!

  2. We will definitely have to make this stop next time we are in the area! Makes me want to take my camera and do a shoot with my boys, PERFECT photo backdrop! Kudos to you Carla Jean and your heels!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *